Banking Exams After Graduation: Which Ones Can You Apply For and When?
Neha Tanna29 Jun, 2026
After completing your graduation, you can apply for several banking exams conducted by public-sector banks, regulatory institutions, and rural banks. These exams can help you secure a stable career with a competitive salary, career growth, allowances, and other employee benefits.
The biggest advantage is that most banking exams accept graduates from any academic stream. Whether you have studied Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, or Management, you can apply if you meet the required age and educational criteria.
However, each examination has different eligibility rules, age limits, and application dates.
IBPS PO
The IBPS PO exam is one of the most popular banking exams for graduates who want officer-level roles in public-sector banks. It offers strong career growth, job stability and exposure to core banking functions.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Post Offered |
Probationary Officer (PO) and Management Trainee (MT) |
|
Educational Qualification |
You should have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
|
Result Requirement |
Your graduation result must be declared before the eligibility cut-off date mentioned in the notification |
|
Age Limit |
20 to 30 years |
|
Age Relaxation |
You are eligible for relaxation as per government norms for reserved categories |
|
Selection Process |
You will go through Prelims → Mains → Interview/Personality Test → Document Verification |
|
Notification Period |
Usually released between July and August |
|
Preparation Advice |
You should start preparing several months before the notification is released |
SBI PO
You can apply for SBI PO if you hold a graduation degree from a recognised university. Final-year students may also apply provisionally if they complete their degree within the date mentioned in the notification.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Post Offered |
Probationary Officer (PO) |
|
Educational Qualification |
You should have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
|
Result Requirement |
You must have completed graduation before the document verification stage |
|
Age Limit |
21 to 30 years |
|
Age Relaxation |
Applicable as per SBI recruitment rules for reserved categories |
|
Selection Process |
Prelims → Mains → Psychometric Test → Group Exercise → Interview |
|
Notification Period |
You should check the SBI Careers website as it varies every year |
|
Preparation Advice |
You should focus on mock tests and advanced-level reasoning & aptitude |
IBPS Clerk / Customer Service Associate
This exam is suitable for you if you want to start your career in banking operations, customer service and branch-level roles.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Post Offered |
Customer Service Associate (Clerk) |
|
Educational Qualification |
You should have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
|
Result Requirement |
Your graduation must be completed before the cut-off date |
|
Age Limit |
20 to 28 years |
|
Age Relaxation |
You are eligible as per government norms |
|
Selection Process |
Prelims → Mains (No interview) |
|
Notification Period |
Usually released between July and August |
|
Preparation Advice |
You should focus on speed-based practice and accuracy |
SBI Clerk
You can apply for the SBI Clerk if you want to join the banking sector as a Junior Associate in public-sector branches.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Post Offered |
Junior Associate (Clerk) |
|
Educational Qualification |
You should have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
|
Result Requirement |
Graduation must be completed before the eligibility date |
|
Age Limit |
20 to 28 years |
|
Age Relaxation |
Applicable as per SBI rules |
|
Selection Process |
Prelims → Mains → Language Proficiency Test (if required) |
|
Notification Period |
Usually released in the second half of the year |
|
Preparation Advice |
You should strengthen speed, accuracy and state language skills |
RBI Grade B
RBI Grade B is one of the most prestigious banking exams in India, offering an officer-level position in the Reserve Bank of India.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Post Offered |
Grade B Officer |
|
Educational Qualification |
You should have at least 60% marks in graduation (55% for postgraduate candidates, as per rules) |
|
Result Requirement |
You must meet academic criteria before the cut-off date |
|
Age Limit |
21 to 30 years |
|
Age Relaxation |
Applicable for M.Phil/PhD and reserved categories as per RBI rules |
|
Selection Process |
Phase I → Phase II → Interview |
|
Notification Period |
You should check the RBI Careers website as it varies annually |
|
Preparation Advice |
You should focus on economics, finance, current affairs and aptitude |
NABARD Grade A
You can apply for NABARD Grade A if you are interested in rural development, agriculture, economics, and regulatory banking roles.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Post Offered |
Grade A Officer |
|
Educational Qualification |
You should have a graduation degree with at least 60% marks (or postgraduate qualification as per stream) |
|
Result Requirement |
You must meet the eligibility requirements before the cut-off date |
|
Age Limit |
21 to 30 years |
|
Age Relaxation |
Applicable as per government norms |
|
Selection Process |
Prelims → Mains → Interview |
|
Notification Period |
You should check official NABARD website regularly |
|
Preparation Advice |
You should focus on finance, agriculture, rural economy and reasoning |
IBPS RRB Exams
IBPS RRB exams are conducted for recruitment in Regional Rural Banks across India. You can apply for both clerical and officer-level posts.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Post Offered |
Office Assistant, Officer Scale I/II/III |
|
Educational Qualification |
You should have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
|
Result Requirement |
Graduation must be completed before the cut-off date |
|
Age Limit |
Varies by post (Office Assistant & Scale I: 18–30 years approx.) |
|
Age Relaxation |
Applicable as per government rules |
|
Selection Process |
Prelims → Mains (Office Assistant) / Interview (Officer posts) |
|
Notification Period |
Usually between June and September |
|
Preparation Advice |
You should focus on speed, reasoning and local language proficiency |
Banking Exam Calendar After Graduation
These dates are based on common recruitment trends. You should always confirm the exact application dates through the latest official notification.
|
Banking Exam |
Usual Notification Period |
|
IBPS PO |
July to August |
|
IBPS Clerk or CSA |
July to August |
|
IBPS RRB |
June to September |
|
SBI PO |
Varies each year |
|
SBI Clerk |
Usually, in the second half of the year |
|
RBI Grade B |
Varies each year |
|
NABARD Grade A |
Varies each year |
Which Banking Exam Should You Apply For?
If you want an officer-level role, you can target IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B or NABARD Grade A.
If you want to enter the banking sector through a clerical or customer-service role, you can apply for IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk or IBPS RRB Office Assistant.
You do not have to prepare separately for every exam. Most banking examinations have a similar syllabus that includes:
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Quantitative Aptitude
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Reasoning Ability
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English Language
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General Awareness
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Banking Awareness
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Computer Knowledge
By preparing for these common subjects, you can apply for multiple banking exams in the same year.
FAQs
Which banking exams can you apply for after graduation?
Can final-year students apply for banking exams?
What is the age limit for banking exams after graduation?
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